Poll: Majority of Americans Feel Bite of Fuel Prices

With gas prices nearing $4 a gallon, about seven in 10 Americans surveyed say the high cost of fuel is bringing hardship to their reality worlds, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds.

Some more results:

• More than half say they have made major changes to compensate for the higher prices, ranging from shorter trips to cutting back on vacation travel.

• For 21%, the impact is so dramatic they say their standard of living is jeopardized.

• The poll found widespread pessimism that gas prices will stop rising. Just 9% say they believe prices have peaked for the year, while 27% say they expect prices will jump 75 cents or more. Average price where consumers say prices will peak: $4.50 a gallon.

• More than half — 54% — say high prices are here to stay.

Nationally, the price of a gallon of regular gasoline averages $3.96. That's up 38%, or $1.09, from levels a year ago.